ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Chesapeake Bay Trust,
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and the state of Maryland unveiled an expanded Green
Streets-Green Jobs-Green Towns grant initiative to help cities and
towns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed accelerate greening efforts
that improve watershed protection, community livability, and
economic vitality. Building on the success of the initial round of
grants, this public-private partnership will award more than
$400,000 in 2012, double the funding from 2011.

"To meet tomorrow's challenges, we need to apply cost-effective
solutions for improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
and the economy of our communities," said EPA Regional
Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "Green streets and green
infrastructure are investments that create jobs and save money
while also providing multiple environmental and quality of life
benefits. By helping towns accelerate their local greening efforts,
we're moving ahead in creating an America built to last."

At a roundtable meeting in Forest Heights, Md., Garvin heard
from a group of mayors whose towns were Green Streets-Green Jobs
grant recipients last year. The mayors discussed best practices and
lessons learned in developing green infrastructure and green
streets, focusing on economic development, energy efficiency and
building sustainable communities.

The grant program is open to local governments and non-profit
organizations in urban and suburban watersheds in the Chesapeake
Bay region of Maryland, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
West Virginia who are interested in pursuing green streets, green
infrastructure, and green jobs as part of their community or
watershed planning.

Grant assistance up to $35,000 is available for infrastructure
project planning and design, and up to $100,000 for implementation
and construction. The strongest proposals will incorporate
innovative green infrastructure and best management practices that
maximize cost-effectiveness.

"Many small to mid-sized communities around the Chesapeake Bay
watershed are looking for ways to boost local economies while also
protecting water resources and expand greening efforts," said Allen
Hance, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. "Building
green streets and urban green infrastructure projects marry three
important issues that these towns face: jobs, livability, and the
environment."

In April 2011, the Chesapeake Bay Trust announced the first-ever
grant recipients of this Green Streets-Green Jobs partnership. In
total, 10 cities and towns were awarded $25,000-$35,000 grants to
fund the planning and design of green infrastructure projects
within the Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia watersheds.

"We have seen demand for green infrastructure funding accelerate
as more and more jurisdictions understand the connection between
green development and economic improvement," said John R. Griffin,
secretary of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources. "These
projects will stimulate the green jobs market and enable families
to work where they live and play while also empowering communities
to gain better access to restoration resources that support
Chesapeake Bay protection."